Necklace; Egypt, Third Intermediate Period–Late Period, 1070–332 B.C.

Necklace; Egypt, Third Intermediate Period—Late Phase, 1070–332 B.C.
Faience.
It has a modern cord.
Provenance: Private collection, United Kingdom.
Measurements: 42 cm (length); 4 x 1 x 0.5 cm (amulet).
Provenance: Family bequest of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. An archaeological collection assembled beginning in the 1950s by successive generations of the family through acquisitions at European galleries and auction houses. Prior to being part of this collection, this specific piece belonged to a second private collection in the United Kingdom.

Necklace made of tubular and disc-shaped beads of fayenza in blue and other shades. Fayenza is the name given to a ceramic material with a vitreous exterior finish, the color of which typically ranges from blue to bluish-green. It was widely used in Ancient Egypt to create household objects, small figurines, amulets, ushabti, and so on. In the center of the necklace, one can see an amulet depicting the deity Sekhmet. She is a warrior goddess and goddess of healing. She is depicted as a lioness. She was regarded as the protector of the pharaohs and their guide in times of war. After death, Sekhmet continued to protect them, guiding them to the afterlife. Sekhmet is a solar deity, sometimes called the daughter of Ra and often associated with the goddesses Hathor and Bastet. She wears the uraeus, which links her to Wadjet and royalty, and the solar disk.